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“...were undoubtedly imported in
large quantities during 1905, yet they are not mentioned in the
customs returns. These returns afford, therefore, less an accurate
idea of the trade of Changsha than of the extent to which the
steamer companies are managing to compete with the junk traffic.
The total trade of the port for 1905 was 892,200L as compared Total trade,
with 403,8992. for the latter half of 1904, a proportionate increase
of nearly 11 per cent. This, however, is partly due to the higher
value of the Haikuan tael. Taking the silver figures the total
trade for 1905 amounted to 5,931,522 Haikuan taels as against
2,822,528 Haikuan taels, the proportionate increase amounting to
barely over 5 per cent. These figures are not very promising for
a newly opened port, and indeed Changsha is in no sense a great
commercial centre. It is chiefly a residential city, largely in-
habited by retired officials and other wealthy people ; but of first
Note.—The vnlne oi the Haikuan tael was 3s. O-j^d...”
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“...back
to Changsha and Hankow, performing the round trip in about a
week. The Chinese share of the shipping is almost entirely accounted
for by steam launches, which carry passengers but little or no cargo.
Of the four nationalities whose flags were represented in the
shipping returns, the British heads the list with 47'5 per cent, of
the total tonnage, the Japanese coming second with 41*35 per cent.,
while the Chinese and the German shares came to 11'07 and 0'08 per
cent, respectively. If the value of the cargo carried is taken into
consideration, the position of the British steamers is even more
favourable, as they account for no less than 61* 96 per cent, of the
total, the Japanese share falls to 34-34 per cent., while the Chinese
and the German flags divide the small balance.
The China Merchants Company have not as yet begun running to
Changsha ; but it is stated that they intend to place one steamer,
if not two, on this run at an early date. At the present moment,
however, they possess...”
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“...
Soap is also being imported in ever-increasing quantities, and a
number of Japanese brands have been placed on the market in an
endeavour to compete with the British and American article.
They are of very inferior quality, but they appear to command a
ready sale, largely because they enjoy the advantage of being pushed
by Japanese merchants on the spot.
Kerosene oil does not appear in the returns, being brought up
exclusively by junk; but the quantity imported must be con-
siderable.
The value of the re-exports was trifling and does not call for any
special remarks.
The inward transit trade fell off in the most startling manner—
from 23,052?. for the last six months of 1904 to 6,228/. for the whole
of 1905. It is difficult to account satisfactorily for this extraordinary
decline. The lowering of likin rates to meet transit pass com-
petition may be a contributing cause, while the difficulties put in
the way of native holders of transit passes by the likin officials in
the interior...”
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“...10 CHANGSHA.
Return of Principal Articles of Import to Ohangslia during the
Years 1904-05.
1904* 1905.
a l* 1
Articles.
Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value.
£ £
Shirtings—
Grey, plain, British Pieces .. 37,375 99,G62
White, plain j] ' • •1.5,136 72,204
Sheetings—
American » 2,880 8,270
British .. )l • • 2,250 9,740
White Irish...... }> * ' 7,029 27,772
Printed chintz, plain cotton
prints and printed shirtings 3] * * 2,974 7,328
Cotton Italians—
Fast black...... >1 42,443 51,461
Coloured » 4,209 7,616
Figured >1 1 ' 6,026 8,242
Cotton lastings, plain and
figured 12,231 ,. 9,645
Turkey-red shirtings and
cambrics ij • * 6,G47 8,046
Velvets and velveteens Yards . , 35,869 62,676
Toivels Dozens.. 2,853 7,222
"Union and poncho cloth
(woollen and cotton mix- 9,617
ture) Yards .. 1,099
Cloth, broad, medium, habit
and Russian ji • ■ 19,486 29,258
Spanish stripes a ' * 19,631 19,356
Opium Cwts. .. 146...”
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“...CHANGSHA.
11
return of Principal Articles of Export from Changsha daring
the Years 1904-05.
190J-.* 1905.
Articles. ------- --------- -------
Quantity. Value. Quantity. Yalue.
£ £
Antimony—
Crude (regulus) .. Cwts. .. 19,063 37,611
5,012 39,740
Arsenic „ •• 968 3,221
Beans, white and yellow .. if ' • 1,823 3,684
Cloth, native (nankeens) .. J) • • 799 1,721
Eggs, preserved Pieces .. 1,600 370,615
Fire-crackers and fireworks CVLs. .. 9,833 21,743
Hemp )i • • 1,357 11,537
Hides, cow and buffalo JJ • • ] ,021 4,117
Lard 51 * * 3,345 5,776
Medicines .. .. .. Vulue £ 148 1,369
Paper, second quality ., Ota. .. 1,148 1,348
Bice >) • • 162,081 401,433
Seeds, lily flower or lotus
nuts JI • • 5,415 3,128
Steel, bar 529 1.708
Umbrellas, paper .. Pieces .. 180 48,555
Zinc ore Cwts. .. 2,240 2,701
Total exports t 88,019 # 244,708
Foreign goods re-exported •• •• 329 •• 1,933
Total export trade •• 88,348 246,641
* Six months ended December...”
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